Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-03-10
ENGLISH NAVAL DESIGNS
TINE AMERICAN LEGATION NOT
INVOLVED IN THE RIUDDLE.

Capt. Hitchburn's Book Probably tho
Cause of the Mention of This Country
in Connection With the Scandal - hs
Editor of tho London Telegraph Goes
OF at Half Cock.
LONDON, March 9.-The Agent Of the
Associated Press in London has been au-
tborized 20 deny that the American Le-
cation was in any way implicated in the
Chatham navy yard scandal.
Commander Chadwick, United States
naval attaehe in London, had an inter.
view this morning with Vice Admiral
VIM. Graham, Comptroller OF the Navy,
of the Admiralty Office. in relation to the
statements that Draughtsman Terry, who
has been dismissed from Chatham,
had revealed secrets OF naval de-
signs to the American Legation. The
Comptroller said thai these were merely
newspaper assertions, and that as far as !
the stories connected anybody iSthe lega-
ton with the dock yard treachery they
were entirely false, All that he knew
was that Terry has sold designs to private
parties. Mr.. White, Secretary of =
American Legation. has confrnieU
an emphasized denial that British naval
plans have been obtained.
LITTLE EDITORIAL BLUSTER.
The Telegraph, commenting on the dis-
charge of Draughtsman Terry, says: III
the charge that Terry's revelation went
indirectly to the American Legation be-
true, and it be proved that the govern
ment at Washington has surreptltiously
tried TO bribe British official TO turn
traitor, violent wave OF Indignation VIII
sweep over this country. The people
of England and the United States are on.
the friendliest terme, and there is every
desire on our part TO maintain these re-
lations. The British dock yard officials
are willing TO show foreigners the details
OF English naval resources, but the nation
desires all this to be open and above
board. Treacherous traffic In state se-
crets, when discovered, will be visited
with swift censure and punishment,
MOTIONS TO P4osEcUTE. p
The question will be raised In Parlia,
ment why the government should not
prosecute the dismissed draughtsman,
Terry, for breach of trust. Lord George
Hamilton, First Lord OF the Admiralty,
viii be asked tomorrow whether Terry
was bound by oath to keep the dock yard
secrets. and whether he can be indicted
for perjury. The Admiralty authorities
are known TO be unwilling 70 prosecute.
tearing further revelations and desiring
to effect changes in the depart
ment as quietly as possible. The
officials state that there is not
a particle of evidence connecting tho
American Legation with the scandal
Terry says .hat ae gave Information TO a
friend who gave it TO another person. and
he suppOses that through the latter the
Information reached America. No paper
indorses or even notices the Daily Tele-
graphs Mrade. The general fesIing ia
that the American Legation is absolutely
above suspicion.
CONSIDERED TOO FRIENDLY.
LONDON, March 10, A. M.-The Daily
News commenting on the statement that
the Admiralty sent complete designs OF
the iron-clad Agamennon to Washington,
at the request OF the American govern
ment, says: at is very pleasant to boon
good terms with America. but, perhaps.
on the whole, it would be as well IL the
Admiralty kept such designs to them
selves"
10 regard to the Terry affair the Newy
says: "The matter ought to be thoroughly
sifted, and the culprits prosecuted. We
cannot doubt that the American govern
ment will be able TO clear itself OF all
completely"
CAPT. HITCHBURN'S WORK.
WASHINGTON, Maron 9.-Relative to
the reported dismissal OF the foreman in
the English naval workshop at Chatham
for selling information concerning plans
for vessels to this government, IL is said at
the Navy Department that so far as this
government Is concerned there is abso-
lutely no truth in the charge. In this
connection the fact is recalled that Capt.
Hitchburn published work about year
ago on Britieh docks aud dock gear,
which 1t was said contained informal tion
furnished to him in confidence. SuHe.
quently the author exclaimed the facts
satisfactorily, but it is possible that the
discharge of the foreman is the result Of
Capt. HItchburn's publication.